Prepayment gas-meter.



No. 676,23l.

Patented lune II, I91". .I. HAWKYARD & .l. BRADDUCK. PBEPAYMENT GASMETER (Application flled Mar. 25, 1899.) (No Modal.) 3 Sheats-$heat l.

\MTNIIBSSESS No. 876,23I.

(No Model.)

' Patented lune ll, l90l. J. HAWKYARD 8'. J. BRADDDCK. PBEPAYMENT GASMETER.

(Applicaizion filed Mar. 25, was.

3 Sheets.-Sheet 2.

- BE- $5 I 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HAXVKYARD AND JOSEPH BRADDOOK, OF OLDHAM, ENGLAND, ASSIGN- ORS TOMETERS, LIMITED, OF DEANSGATE, MANCHESTER, ENGLAND.

PREPAY'M ENT GAS-M ETER.

- SFEGIFIGATIGN forming part of Letters Patent No. 676,231, dated June11, 1901.

Application filed March 25, 1899. Serial No. 710,453. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, J OHN HAWKYARD and JOSEPH BRADDOOK, of Oldham, inthe county of Lancaster, England, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Apparatus for Supplying Gas or other Fluid onPrepayment, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to an improved form of prepayment mechanism forapplication to gas or other fluid meters, and has for its object thesimplification of the said apparatus, so as to render it more direct inits action and less liable to fraudulent use. \Ve also construct oursaid mechanism so that it is readily applicable to any form of meter andis capable of being easily removed when it is desired to do so for anypurpose without necessitating the removal of the meter.

The method of carrying our said invention into effect is shown in theaccompanying drawings, whereof- Figure 1 is a front elevation; Fig. 2, aplan view; Fig. 3, a side elevation, partly in section, showing thevalve and its seat. Fig. 4 is a section through the line X Y in Fig. 2.Fig. 5 is a detailed view of meter-driven wheel and its attached forkedlever. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the gas connection for a dry 3o meter.Fig. 7 is a plan view of the gas connection for a wet meter; Fig. 8, aside view of the bell-crank detent-lever H, and Fig. 9 a separate viewof the coin-carrier. Figs. 10, 11, and 12 represent a front view andpartial 5 ordetailsideandrearelevations,respectively,

of a gas-meter having our prepayment mechanism connected therewith.

We employ a coin carrier or receiver A, which rotates on a spindle bornein the fram- 0 ing and provided with a through-slit for the reception ofthe coin. The coin is prevented from going too far by two stops A Awhich are set at correct distance to sustain a coin of the requiredsize, but will permit any smaller 5 coin to pass through. The coin,which is introduced in the ordinary way through a slit in the framing,enters the coin-receiver and is discharged therefrom at the same side.The coin-receiver A is rotated from without by so the milled wheel A orby any convenient thumb-piece, and we preferably limit the rotation ofthe receiver to about half a revolution. The receiver is so formed thatthe coin when carried by the receiver projects into the spaces in thewheel G. The valve G, which is supplementary to the valves usuallyemployed in gas-meters, is mounted on the end of a spindle O, which iscapable of both endwise and rotary movement, and is carried in bearingsformed in the framing passing through a stuffing-box 0 whereby theescape of gas from chamber C is prevented when the valve is open. Thesaid chamber is, when the mechanism is in working position, connectedwith the passage communicating with the ordinary gas-passages in themeter by making a joint at O with two screws. The chamber 0 is closed atits upper portion by a jointed cover which can be removed to obtainaccess to the stuffing-boX 0 when the latter requires packing.

Upon the valve-spindle O is loosely mounted a wheel E, formed with along boss E, which is borne, as shown, by the frame of the apparatus andprojecting at the front sufficiently far to carry the fingerD,traversing a dial, showing the number of coins which have been placedinthe apparatus and for which no gas has been supplied. In the said bossE of the wheel E a slot E is formed, and the valvespindle C terminates alittle beyond the front end of the slot E Four of the teeth of the wheelE are projected forward at E so that a small L-lever F can be pivotedto'them. One end F of the leverF is forked 8 so as to pass over the bossE. A pin F is fixed in the forked end of F and passes through thevalve-spindle 0, thus making an operative connection between it and theboss E. The other end,F ,of the lever F carries a small 0antifriction-roller which presses against a cam-face G, formed on theinner face of the sprocket-wheel G. g

' The wheel G is loosely mounted upon the boss E and is kept in positionby a collar G 5 fixed into E by a pin. As the wheel G has on the sideopposite the collar a boss in contact with a face on the front frame, itis prevented from having a longitudinal movement. The cam-face G isformed so as to be for the I03 greater part of its length concentricwith the axis of the wheel; but at the point G it is O 4 of thecoin-receiver causes the coin to press formed spirally thereto and inthe form of a cam-course. The sprocket-wheel G has thirteen equal gapsin it.

A lever H, having two arms H H is pivoted at the point H The horizontalarm H of the said lever carries on a pivot J "a weight J, the object ofwhich is to keep in position in two of gaps G two detent-catches K K,which normally lock the mechanism. The vertical arm H of the lever H hasformed upon its face next the coin-receiver two inclines U U andat itslower end is bent at right angles, so as to form a pin or detent 11*,passing across the face of the sprocketwheel G.

WVe gear the wheel E to be rotated by the mechanism within themeter-casing X by any suitable means; but we prefer to employ a verticalworm-spindle M, which has fixed upon its upper end a readily-changeablecrownwheel M by means of a nut. The downwardlyprojecting boss of M has aslot formed in it which engages with a pin passing through M andprojecting on each side of it. A shoulder is formed on the spindle M,which fixes the vertical position of M, thus insuring it being incorrect gear with the long pinion N, which is suitably borne. The pinionN can be connected to the meter-index mechanism in many well-kn ownways. \Ve may dispense with the wheel M and pinion N and connect thespindle M in any convenient method.

The action of the above mechanism is as follows: Before the introductionof a coin the valve 0 is pressed onto its seat and prevents the inflowof gas to the meter-passages. The end ofthelever F rests in theeccentric portion G of the cam-face G, thus pressing the valve onto. itsseat. The coinreceiver is turned up and the coin is introduced. Thereceiver A is then turned from right to left and presses against thefirst incline, U, on the vertical arm H of the lever II. This causes thelever H to rock sufficiently to permit the edge of the. coin to passover U,when the lever H falls back, so that the coin-receiver cannot beturned back. The movement of H is not suflicient to lift the catches K Kout of the wheel G, so that the latter cannot be rotated at this time.The continued rotation against the second incline, U, on H and rock helever H to such an extent that the catches K K are. nearly free from thewheel G. The

coin now presses against one of the teeth of movement of G. Theconstruction of thele-,

ver H with the two inclines or cams U U results in the formation of adetent between said inclines which serves to prevent return movement ofthe coin after it has partially actuated the lever. Therefore it wouldbox chamber.

be impossible for any person to give a quick movement to the receiver A,so as to cause 1 the coin to actuate the lever to raise the catches K K,and to then cause the coin to" quickly actuate the wheel G, and thenre;verse the movement of the receiver before" the lever H could drop backto position." An attempt to impart such a quick move; ment to thereceiverA as to actuate both the:

lever H and the wheel G would simply resultin causing the coin to catch,so that the re-' ceiver could not be reversed. A continuance i of therotation of A completes the partial revolution of G and releases theleverH and r e the coin,which latter falls outof the slit in the 7 7receiver as soon as the pressure is off, The a wheel G having beenrotated, the cam-sureccentric portion G and in consequence the Owing toits face moves so that the pin F is lifted np-the lever F is rocked onits pivot.

connection with the valve-spindle, the'latter" is moved endwise so as todraw the valve". 9 used uptotwelve; butafterthatnumberhave.

away from its seat. Additional coins ean'be successively been introducedthe mechanism is locked until a retractive movement has taken place. ofadditional coins is thatthe pinF traverses the concentric portion of thecam-faceG with out producing further effect upon the valve.

Owing to the opening of the valve 0 gas begins to flow from thesupply-piped (see Figs. 7

10, 11, and 12) through the chamber 6 as The eifect of the introduction;

shown by the arrows in Fig. 3, and through the pipe 2, (see Figs. 11 and12,) and the meter begins to work. The result is that the pinion N isrotated and drives, by the crown wheel M and the worm-spindle M, thewheel E. As the lever F is pivoted to the wheel E, V

as described, the, rotation of Eretraets the pin F and gradually bringsit into the eccentric portion G of the cam, thus rocking the lever F andclosing the valve. The rate at the ratio between M and N and asMca-n beeasily changed can be varied as. desired.

The mechanism isifixedin position bypl'acing it above the coin-box Y,allowing apas sage for the coins to fall after discharge. W 7 Thegas-inlet L in the base-plate-L is fixed on the meter and the gas-way ofthe attach;

ment fixed to it by two screws at L and L so as to make a gas-tightjoint. A- bookside the coin-box the apparatus is by thevaid of thegas-joint namedheld in position, but 7. 7 can be readily removed withoutuncoupling the meter.

We have thus provided a casing having a i gas-passage, a valve forcontrolling said passage, coin-controlled mechanism connected with saidvalve to operate it, and means for V attaching said casing to a meterwith the gaso passage in connection with the gas-passage 7 11o which theretraction takesplace'dependson 1204" headed screw P is passed throughtheappa- Y o ratus and through a hole in thetop-of'coin 1 By passing thehook over the r V 7 top of the frame and screwing up anirt in r 7 r2 5 5wheel controlling of the meter. Said valve is indicatedat 0 carried bythe spindle O, which extends through the stuffing-box O of the casinginto that chamber of the casing which contains the coin-controlledmechanism. The'joint with the ordinary gas-passages of the meter is madeat (3 The said casing, carrying both the controlling-valve and thecoin-controlled mechanism, is bodily removable from the meter by openingthe coin-box and removing the nut from the hook-headed screw P, andtherefore said casing can only be removed by the proper person havingthe key to the coin-box.

We claim 1. In a prepayment gas-meter, a valve, a notched Wheelcontrolling the same, and a coin-actuated locking-lever havingprovisions for engaging the notches in said wheel to lock the wheel,said lever having means for preventing the return movement of the coinafter partially actuating the lever.

2. In a prepayment gas-meter, a valve, a valve-controlling wheel, and alocking-lever having provisions for engaging and locking said wheel bothbefore and during a portion of the action of the coin, for preventing areturn movement of thecoin.

3. In a prepayment gas-meter, a valve,,a the same and having notches tobe engaged by the coin, a coinholder constructed and arranged to bringthe coin into engagement with the notches in said Wheel, and a membernormally locking said wheel and adapted to be engaged by the coin, andhaving means for preventing a return movement of the coin afterpartially actuating the lever.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a casinghaving a gaspassage, of a valve forcontrolling said pas sage,coin-controlled mechanism connected with said valve to operate it, acoin-box, and means for attaching said casing to a meter with thegas-passage in connection with the gas-passage of the meter, a movablepart of said attaching means being accessible only within the coin-boxto enable the casing and coin-controlled mechanism to be removed afteropening the coin-box.

a 5. In a prepayment gas-meter, the combination of a valve having astem, a meter-operated wheel loosely mounted on said stem and having ahollow sleeve extension or boss surrounding the same and formed with aslot, a coin-operated wheel having a cam, a lever pivoted to. the meteroperated wheel and adapted to be engaged by said cam, and a pivotalconnection between the valve-stem and said lever, passing through saidslot.

6. In a prepayment gas-meter, the combination of a coin-operated wheel,a cam mounted thereon and having a portion concentric with the axis ofsaid wheel and a portion eccentric thereto, the latter portion havingthe construction of a course or path, a meter-0perated wheel, and avalve-operating lever pivoted to the latter and adapted to be engaged bythe concentric and eccentric portions of said cam.

7. In a prepaymentgas-meter, the combination of a toothedvalve-controlling wheel, a coin-receiver mounted in proximity to saidwheel and adapted to bring a coin into connection therewith topositively rotate the wheel,and a two-armed lever pivotally mountedalongside of said wheel in position to be engaged by a coin in thecoin-receiver, and having provisions on each arm for engaging saidtoothed wheel, whereby the said wheel is locked both before and during aportion of the action of the coin on said wheel. 8. In a prepaymentgas-meter, the combination with the meter-case and the coin-box, of acasing having a gas-passage, a valve for controlling said passage,coin-controlled mechanism connected with said valve to operate it, and abolt engaged with said casing and extending into the coin-boxand havingmeans within said coin-box for securing said casing in place with thegas-passage in connection with the gas-passage of the meter.

In testimony whereof we have aflixed our signatures in presence of twowitnesses.

JOHN I-IAWKYARD. JOSEPH BRADDOCK,

Witnesses:

JOHN P. PARRISH, JOSEPH NASMITH.

